Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships with a 33.4 PPG playoff average and perfect 6-0 Finals record, while LeBron James has 4 championships across three teams with 28.7 PPG playoff average and 10 Finals appearances. Jordan's peak dominance was higher, but LeBron's longevity and all-around game span two decades.
LeBron James vs Michael Jordan — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Chicago Bulls legend with 6 championships and 5 MVPs (1984-2003)
Forward/guard who played 21 seasons (2003-2024) for four teams, becoming NBA's all-time leading scorer with 4 championships and 4 MVPs.
NBA Championships. Finals Record. Career PPG. Playoff PPG. Career Games Played. All-Star Selections. Career RPG + APG
Michael Jordan's peak was historically unmatched—his 6-0 Finals record, scoring dominance (33.4 PPG in playoffs), and clutch performances define the greatest individual achievement in basketball. However, LeBron James' sustained excellence over 20 seasons, 19 All-Star selections, superior playmaking (7.4 APG), and rebounding (10.5 RPG) make him the more complete two-way player. Choose Jordan as the GOAT for playoff peak performance and championship efficiency; choose LeBron for longevity and all-around basketball impact.
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,361
Michael Jordan: 5 | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Michael Jordan: 5,633 | LeBron James: 10,452
Michael Jordan: 6,672 | LeBron James: 10,452 rebounds
Michael Jordan: 33.5 PPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 83.4% | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 32.7% | LeBron James: 34.4%
Michael Jordan: 13× All-Star | LeBron James: 19
Michael Jordan: 6.2 RPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 2.3 SPG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 6-0 (Perfect) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 1,071 games | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 15 seasons (1984-2003) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 2.3 APG | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 5 MVP awards | LeBron James: 4
Michael Jordan: 10 scoring titles | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 13 | LeBron James: 19 All-Stars
Michael Jordan: $3 billion+ | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 37.1 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 30.1 | LeBron James: 27.2
Michael Jordan: 5 MVPs | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Michael Jordan: 50.5% | LeBron James: 50.5%
Michael Jordan: 15 | LeBron James: 21 seasons
Michael Jordan: 1,072 | LeBron James: 1,610
Michael Jordan: 27.3% | LeBron James: 34.4%
Michael Jordan: 32,292 points | LeBron James: 40,474 points
Michael Jordan: 5 MVP awards | LeBron James: 4 MVP awards
Michael Jordan: 5 DPOY awards | LeBron James: 1 DPOY award
Michael Jordan: 6 | LeBron James: 4 championships
Michael Jordan: 6 | LeBron James: 10 Finals (4 wins)
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,511 points
Michael Jordan: 6 | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
Michael Jordan: 9 selections | LeBron James: 6
Michael Jordan: 50.3% | LeBron James: 50.2%
Michael Jordan: 13 selections | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 32,292 points | LeBron James: 40,361 points
Michael Jordan: 30.1 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 65.4% | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 33.4 | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 37.1 (1986-87) | LeBron James: N/A
Michael Jordan: 100% | LeBron James: 40%
Michael Jordan: 10 | LeBron James: 10 selections
Michael Jordan: 32,292 | LeBron James: 40,474
Michael Jordan: 33.4 | LeBron James: 28.7
Michael Jordan: 11.5 (6.2 RPG + 5.3 APG) | LeBron James: 17.9 (10.5 RPG + 7.4 APG)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 1,295
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 27.2 PPG career (through 2026)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 28.3 PPG (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 8.5 APG (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 8.3 RPG (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 4 MVPs
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 4 Championships
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 10 Finals appearances
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 4 Finals MVPs
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 66.7% TS% (2025-26)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 23 seasons (2003-2026)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 6'9" (206cm)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 20 All-Star selections
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 31.4 PPG (2009-10)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 21 seasons (2003-2024)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 1 NBA Cup MVP
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 0 titles
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: Guard, Forward, Center (multi-position)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 2003-2026 (modern 3-point era)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 40,361
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 272.5
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 1,364
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 50.5%
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 34.5%
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 58.7%
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 6'9"
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 21 seasons
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 40% (4 of 10 Finals)
Michael Jordan: N/A | LeBron James: 19 (of 21)
How to choose between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
LeBron James vs Michael Jordan — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for LeBron James vs Michael Jordan. Contains 106 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
LeBron James vs Michael Jordan — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for LeBron James vs Michael Jordan.
Who is the NBA GOAT—Michael Jordan or LeBron James?
Michael Jordan is widely considered the GOAT by most analysts (78% preference in historical polls) due to his perfect 6-0 Finals record, 33.4 PPG playoff average, and unmatched peak dominance from 1990-1998. However, LeBron has strong GOAT arguments: 19 All-Star selections, sustained excellence across 20 seasons, and superior all-around play (7.4 APG, 10.5 RPG). The debate hinges on whether peak performance or longevity matters more.
Michael Jordan won 6 NBA championships, all with the Chicago Bulls (1991-1993, 1996-1998). LeBron James won 4 championships: 2 with the Miami Heat (2012-2013), 1 with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and 1 with the Los Angeles Lakers (2020). Jordan's 6 titles remain the franchise record, though LeBron's three different teams shows greater adaptability.
Who was a better scorer—Jordan or LeBron?
Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 PPG career and 33.4 in playoffs—both higher than LeBron's 27.2 career and 28.7 playoff PPG. Jordan's scoring efficiency (true shooting % of 58.4%) during his prime was historically elite. However, LeBron's scoring consistency across 20 seasons and ability to create for others alongside scoring makes him the more versatile offensive player overall.
Michael Jordan went 6-0 in the Finals (100% win rate), winning championships in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, and 1998. LeBron James is 4-6 in the Finals (40% win rate), losing to San Antonio (2014), Golden State (2015, 2017, 2019), and Miami (2023). Jordan never lost a Finals series; LeBron's Finals losses are tied to facing strong opposing teams rather than poor individual performance.
Who had a longer career at an elite level?
LeBron James played 1,610 games over 20 seasons (2003-2023) while maintaining All-Star caliber production into his late 30s. Michael Jordan played 1,072 games over 15 seasons (1984-1993, 1995-1998), with a two-year retirement from 1993-1995. LeBron's longevity is unprecedented for a basketball player; Jordan's peak was higher but shorter in duration.
How to Choose Between Michael Jordan and LeBron James
NBA Championships: Michael Jordan has 6 (all with Chicago), while LeBron James has 4 (Miami, Cleveland, LA).
Finals Record: Michael Jordan has 6-0 (100%), while LeBron James has 4-6 (40%).
Career PPG: Michael Jordan has 30.1, while LeBron James has 27.2.
Playoff PPG: Michael Jordan has 33.4, while LeBron James has 28.7.
Career Games Played: Michael Jordan has 1,072, while LeBron James has 1,610.
All-Star Selections: Michael Jordan has 13 (1987-1998), while LeBron James has 19 (2004-2023).
Career RPG + APG: Michael Jordan has 6.2 + 5.3, while LeBron James has 10.5 + 7.4.